I have an elderly neighbor who was so confused just now :(

[Fuzz]

I pulled into my driveway with my daughter after picking her up from school, and she walked across the street, without looking saying "Sir, sir, can you help me?" over and over. Following her was her mentally handicapped son who is in his 50's now.

I asked what the problem was and she said that she couldn't get into her house and that her husband was missing. I asked when was the last time she saw her husband and got several answers, it was then that I realized that she was extremely confused.

She must have gone downhill very fast because I would speak to her and her husband occasionally as they walked around the neighborhood if I was outside, and never noticed a problem before now.

Anyway, I said of course I would help, and walked with her over to her house to try and help her get back in. Trouble was, she was trying to get into the house next door, the one she owns as well, but it is rented to another family. That family wasn't helping her though, and was avoiding going to the door, probably not wanting to get involved. I told her to follow me to her house and that was her rental property, etc.

She was talking about not being able to get into the house, but the front door was open, she went in, came back out, tried to get into the car, said she didn't know where her keys were, and kept saying "Please don't leave me sir".

My other daughter got off the bus around this time with her friends, now there are five kids there with me too.

She was so worried about her husband being missing and was walking around the house, inside, outside, and every time she got out of view of me would say "Please don't leave me, sir". I wasn't about to.

Her cat got out, so the kids were trying to catch the cat for her.

I thought the best thing to do at this point was to call the police to see if they could do anything.

No sooner did I put my cell phone back in my pocket, the husband shows up. He was in the back working on his boat. Then another son drove up, and the father said to him, "Mom's been wandering again."

More happened, but more of the same actually.

They thanked me for staying with her and helping her, as best I could really. And as the kids and I walked back we had a little conversation about what had happened and how it's important to help people because some day that person could be you.

So freakin' sad though. :(

[reyd reid reed]

1. Oh, now sad.

I wonder if she had some kind of stroke or siezure? She needs to get to the doctor if this is something new.

How terrifying for her. I'm glad you were there to help, though.

:hug:

[skygazer]

2. That's what I fear more than anything

Losing my grasp on reality. Poor thing, how good of you to help. And what a good lesson for the kids - I'm glad you framed it that way.

Very sad story. :(

[hedgehog]

3. Bravo for not walking away!

I ran into a lady in a similar condition and almost didn't realize that she was in trouble! It's a sad fact that many seniors wander off and die due to exposure. If you're worried about a senior in your life, be sure that someone takes the car keys away. We've had several cases where someone was last seen driving to the grocery store and ended up being found weeks later pulled off the road into a muddy field.

Also - this is a prime purpose for the Medic Alert bracelets. My dad's worn one for years because he has a shunt on his brain. He's absolutely fine, but if the shunt ever got plugged, he'd be in trouble really quickly.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

4. You also did a service to the kids...

They were probably confused themselves and a little scared. Thank you for educating some kids and helping out a senior.
Duckie

[ThomCat]

5. I'm glad you were there and stayed with her.

It's so sad to watch someone deteriorate. I think about the life they've lived and it all sort of slips away. :(

[Blue Diadem]

6. You're a kind soul Fuzz

It's sad to see that happen to people. I'm glad you were there to bring her back home and handle things until her husband found out what was going on.

[Fuzz]

7. Funny thing is, if you see me in person

you would think I'm a grumpy, deranged lumberjack or something. 6'2", 230 lbs., beard, close cropped hair, hardly ever smile, kind of a bear of a man, who smokes cigars and drinks martinis.

Yet, I'm a stay at home, liberal dad with two small daughters who does all of the cooking and laundry.

Strange that. :) lol